"Comparison is the thief of joy." This episode serves as a reminder that TH-camrs aren't playing by the same rules as you are - so don't crush your own spirits comparing your own project, progress, or dreams to those you watch on the internet. It wouldn't be fair to say "it's all fake" on TH-cam, because it's not. But to call it reality isn't truthful either. I hope this episode shows that. 🙂
It makes me wonder when, TH-cam and sponsored parts etc., will reach saturation. Like if I decide to start filming a project I'm doing with no recognition previously for doing anything will enough people watch and subscribe and then in turn would sponsors care to step up at all.
Truth, thanks for putting this out there. Years ago I took my car to a dealer to have everything mechanical replaced from the sump plug up under the car, brakes, suspension, everything. "The big job" they called it. We had the car about 17 years and it was well worth the investment. These days I doubt I could afford to do the same thing.
I wish I could show this to some of the non car people who keep asking me when my car will be done. They don't realize how often I have to save up money for a part and then have to wait on that part.
I get asked the saaaaame thing about my car all the time. "When's it gonna be done?" When I have the money saved up. I don't think a lot of non-car people realize how much parts and labor (if you can't do part of it yourself) actually cost.
I had to wait 4 months for rod and main bearings, and almost a year to find the exhaust valves I was looking for on my volvo, not to mention machine shop time. its a loooooooong process doing a ground up build.
Thank you very much for this episode. As a hobby car builder i watch a lot of youtube and always feel bad I cannot move as fast as the pro’s do, but seeing these numbers makes it a lot less painful. I have to earn my money during the day, keep up a household and then spend whats left over on a car. So time and money is tighter than a fulltime pro with sponsorships. I know that, but sometimes I forget that and that’s why content like this is awesome.
I'm sure this will get lost in the sea of comments, BUT as an owner of a small business that makes aftermarket automotive parts it's refreshing to see a content creator be so upfront and thankful about their partnerships. I often ask myself "Are the heavily discounted or free parts we're sending to so-and-so-creator/influencer even worthwhile to my business?" It's definitely a blow to the ego when some folks (certainly not all) hardly say thank you and our stuff barely gets mentioned in their content. This has become one of my favorite channels to watch since I found it, especially as I've had to put off my own passion projects the past couple of years to grow a business that sometimes doesn't feel like it'll ever pay off, but quitting isn't something I'm fond of and seeing Mike continue to pursue his goals regardless of the setback is definitely a massive inspiration. Keep up the awesome work dude, can't wait to see what else is in store!
My friends and I are still relatively small in the automotive social media world, but when we get partnerships, we try to treat them like new members of our car family. The fact that they'll support us means our dreams continue and we want people to know that company has people working there that are helping make our content and everyone's builds possible. It can be hard to feel like we deliver enough value, but we try, and IDK how people can just take stuff and not care about that. Radium Engineering and Link ECU have been absolute game changers for us, for example, and I really hope we have a continuing relationship with both.
I have a question, if you don't mind answering. Being a small business owner that does sponsor out some parts, how did that come about? Did the people come and say "Hey, I'll plug you if you give me parts" or did you discover, watch, and decide to offer to them? Thanks in advance and I hope your business takes off.. boy is it a struggle the first couple years lol
@@notfred596 It's a bit of both, we have had people approach us for sponsorship and I ask them to send me some examples of their existing content and data about their audience or their achievements in the automotive space. The people who are willing to take the time to talk with me and go into details are the ones that tend to be great partners. In other cases I've reached out to creators after finding their content and doing some research beforehand to see if a partnership makes sense. We make platform specific parts so that means I'm looking for creators with cars we make parts for because there is a good chance a portion of their audience has the same car. We've seen success and failure with both approaches so I wouldn't call one better than the other. Their amount of subs/followers doesn't really mean all that much in my experience, rather the creator's level of connection to their audience plays a big role in how well our products are received/looked at/talked about/bought. The guy with 400 followers who interacts and talks with his audience on a personal level at any opportunity has brought us just as much or more traffic than the guy with 400k followers who interacts with some followers/comments in the first hour of content being posted and then never again, doesn't respond or even look at most DMs etc.
@@802Garage being small isn't a bad thing for partnerships at all. We have worked with a few small guys who have been great to work with! Appreciation posts go a long way for building rapport with partners too.
MASSIVE RESPECT for you doing this! Don’t think I’ve ever seen another silver playbutton auto channel lift the veil like you just did. I understand why TH-camrs are reticent to discuss financials, especially auto build channels where partnerships and sponsors are so imperative to keep a project from stalling out. But in this age of social media the notion of “keeping up with the Jones”-ism has never been stronger and people are ruining their lives in order to flex post on Instagram or whatever. Folks gotta realize these successful TH-cam builds take a lot more support and coordination than the Average Joe gets. But it’s a win win win scenario. These companies have an interactive means to advertise their products that is way better than magazines and forums ever were. Content creators are able to complete new build series in a few weeks or months versus once every year or two (well, some CCs atleast 😉). And the consumers get to see a personality they like/connect with use these products hands on and in a practical manner. You’re one of the most unique creators in this TH-cam automotive scene and (even at +200k subscribers) criminally underrated. Don’t change. Can’t wait for some of that 5 cylinder goodness build to kick off in earnest.
Tavarish did a nice breakdown of what he spent on his blue McLaren ($450k iirc) and Hoovie is pretty transparent about what he spends on the cars he buys. What Mike did here that I haven't seen anyone else do is provide the retail value of the sponsor parts and a genuine estimate from a shop on the labor value.
Mat Armstrong @MatArmstrongbmx usually always has a white board showing costs. Nothing weird about it. Very important and Great info on how to save money too.
Any ~5k used classic bmw will probably need 10k just to get it to the point where it’s daily drivable and fully reliable with all the rubber and consumables replaced imo
I did my S54 swapped E30 in 2018 and it totalled about 50K at that time. I figured you had about 30K into that swap but glad to see sponsors helping out. I always get a kick when people ask the cost to do a swap properly like this and they are expecting 8-10k.
I think that's one of the average car enthusiasts' greatest shortcomings: underestimating the cost of the project in front of them. Doing it *right* always costs more than planned, every time, no matter what.
I remember asking one of the guys on the E46 M3 Touring FB groups whether his build cost more than 15k (in all honesty I knew it was way more than that) and his reaction was “you’re joking, right?” 🤣
Numbers check out. I restored an AW11 MR2 a few years ago. Buying parts cars allowed me to convert time into budget money while at the same time obtaining parts I needed. It's a lot of work stripping junkers, posting stuff for sale, and packaging things up and shipping them out, but it turned what would have been a $20k build into a $10k build without having to live stream the process. The key is to buy the nicest one you can afford that only needs repairs you are capable of doing yourself. Had you needed to do a ton of body work and paint, you'd be looking at doubling your all in figure unless a body shop was willing to sponsor you too.
I think you miss the point, at your cost and knowing you have exactly what you want I would say you are in the car for a really sane amount. The chances of finding a car that is dead on for what you dream of is quite rare to say the least. You also gained so much knowledge in your builds that adding in what it gained you later really makes some of your projects actually deals. Keep up the good work, you are certainly a role model for many young people to see what getting up and getting dirty can really turn in to.
As great as all your builds are, it's your honesty that sets your channel apart from a lot of others. It might crush some people's dreams to see the reality of building a car, but it should also make people appreciate the builds out there. And the labour value can not be stressed enough either! A project can easily easily take 200 hours, that's a lot of money.
I figured you'd be one of the guys to be transparent on this kind of stuff. There is a lot of downplaying on just what sponsorship, networking and favors some relative fame can afford a car builder
Or that $5k sponsor fee for slinging some shitty sunglasses or frozen meals, every single episode, that plenty of YT channels get, even on their podcasts.
I guessed 50K retail and 30K for Mike. - being a youtuber helps more than I thought on cost, but of course you put a ton of labor into making and editing content and lots of behind the scenes work. Thanks for sharing the costs.
Thanks for doing a breakdown like this Mike. Definitely helps set some things into perspective. Sure, you can get some better deals than full retail through patience and part hunting, but at the end of the day it still won't be close to the YTuber discount. Your content still makes me want to build a car though. Just makes me realize I need more cash for what I have planned.
I didn't take into consideration that this episode could dissuade folks. That's kind of a bummer to think about. I just want to educate folks about what really goes into this stuff, and to remind people TH-camrs aren't playing by the same rules.
@@stanceworkspeople won’t be dissuaded if the passion is strong enough. Patience is a virtue and people are responsible for keeping themselves in reality. You did a service on this episode and me and many others I’m sure appreciate it.
@@stanceworksI wouldn't worry about that. Providing good, honest information just gives people a better base to make decisions from. People are still going to chase unrealistic dreams and make them happen in spite of dollars and sense! Thx for your honesty.
@@stanceworks the cost comparison here brings up a question. You were able to build connections and skills that brought a $45k-$65k project down to $20k. As you point out, ain't exactly pocket change. Ignoring startup costs if you don't have tools & assuming retail costs, how much project can $20k get you if you can DIY? What if you can't?
So you are telling me I need to start a TH-cam channel, work my backside off like you for years, build up a substantial following and then I might get some freebies for my car project.....if it was easy everyone would be doing and that is why you deserve it!
I rebuilt my 1989 E30 over a period of a year and it cost me 30K doing all of the work except rebuilding the engine, which I had shipped out. I replaced and upgraded everything that could be. I've worked on my cars since I was 16 when I got my first car. I only started doing it because I couldn't afford to have it done by the shop, LOL. What was done: Apex Wheels 8X17 235/17 40 tires Ground Control Coil Overs custom weighted Stainless steel brake lines Willwood Brakes with larger Master Cylinder Replaced all bushings with poly E36 Steering rack Engine rebuilt by Metric Mechanic 1) 3200 Sport Build 2) Pulse Chamber Intake manifold 3) Lightened Flywheel 4) Deep pocketed ported Pistons (No more worry about timing belt breaking issue) 5) H Beam Rods Aluminium radiator Repainted all trim in black Replaced carpet Corbeau sport seats SuperSprint Exhaust UNC Short Shift Kit
Great to hear a TH-camr being honest about cost. We all have those questions, and it is refreshing to have someone with the gall to make a video like this. You produce my favorite TH-cam channel, and I’m always excited when there is a new video to watch. I think a big part of being a fan of StanceWorks is seeing your willingness to take a risk on showing aspects of a build that some merely pass over or are worried to show (I.e. mistakes), but your approach shows the complete picture, at least as much a possible in the world of TH-cam. I look forward to watching what you have planned for 2024.
Interesting video. Thanks for making it. I tracked my expenses on my last project car. The reasons why I did it two fold, 1) if I ever sell the car the new owner will know exactly what was done, what parts were used, where they were purchased from and the miles and date the work was completed. The second reason is my sanity. This was the fourth car in a row that I rebuilt. I sort of kept track with guy math on the others that I flipped but not to the penny. I am confident my profits on the previous two paid for my current car… just the car. I can tell you I have $ 9,960.44 total into the car… not including any labor costs outside of the weighted four wheel alignment I had done. I am okay with this amount as I am confident I can sell my 49,000 mile 2006 Mini Cooper S with modest and reversible modifications made for more than I have invested into it. I have it insured for $15K which is about what it would cost to buy the same car with similar miles and condition without the mods.
Bought an '89 last week for $400. Got a used head locally, and got it fired up today. Still have less than $1000 into it. Needless to say I'm pretty stoked.
This video is very refreshing to see. The shop labor is the biggest hurdle for me and many other people. Everyone says “just do it yourself”, but not many people have a garage full of tools to work on a project car; or even a garage to work in with how bad real estate is.
I tried to grow my TH-cam channel with my 2 builds a RB30/26 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR Vspec and 20b FD Rx7(both builds on my channel). But never got it to take off. And I was doing it back in before most of these channels grew. I've owned both for most of my adult life buying the first (RX7) in 2006. (Skyline) 2013. Truth be told, I cannot keep up with other TH-camrs because I'm paying everything out of pocket. I also believe there are additional factors that play a part in channel growth. This was a good video.
It's like with any car company. You have the passionate engineers/designers, and then you have the bean counters. Keep them away from each other. Don't count your receipts, enjoy the hobby. 😂😂 Well done, Mike. 👍🏽
Major kudos to you for the transparency and honesty. Most folks don't understand the costs and the "benefits" of building as a TH-camr. When you get to a point where the income from making the project actually pays for the project, versus "normal" folks who are paying for retail parts with their daily job.
Man, I’ve violated the golden car rule myself and tallied up costs before so I figured I at least had it in the ballpark of $16/$32k but was real off on the top end. Kudos for you for doing this… it’s a real service to younger car folks to peek behind the curtain and know what things really cost.
I absolutely could NOT love this episode and its transparency any more than I do. This may be one of the best “what did it cost” videos I have ever seen. Content and production quality are simply unmatched in TH-cam by a channel this size and even bigger. Mike, I genuinely enjoy watching every week. Blessings to you.
I recently finished building/restoring my Civic from high-school. It's basically a track car with plates but fresh pretty much everything. I had to have the car appraised for insurance as it's technically a classic car, so I went through something like in the video. It wasn't too crazy and the appraiser was actually over my figure which was nice, but wow! It adds up quick and doesn't include 4 years of weekends and weeknights
It’s great to see a TH-camr being open and honest about this stuff. I think we all know that a lot of stuff is sponsored and that’s fine when you’re doing it as your job. My Rusty Urquattro project had a very optimistic 1 year timeframe and $15k NZD budget. It took 7 years and multiples of my budget, but I got there and can now daily the car. Channels like this are my inspiration and kept me going when it seemed I was over my head, both in mechanical skill and budget. Keep up the great work mate.
You’re brave for adding them up. I have all the receipts for work I’ve done on my project and just doing quick math in my head is sure to cause a headache. Was also stoked to see a Tuesday episode! Always look forward to your videos.
Thank you for sharing. I assumed fifteen grand on parts and another ten on a shop doing the work. With the right knowledge and budget three years and fifteen to stay around your price. Great job.
Great topic , really interesting but I think you should include your time/costs as you do this for your income and obviously have associated personal life costs . Keep up the great content
I’m not a car guy, I watch a lot of car restoration vids for the creative buzz. The figures don’t surprise me, and was really pleased to see this breakdown as it puts the whole process into perspective. Kudos to you for your transparency, not only is it a good thing for your viewers, it’s also a much better service to your sponsors than most TH-camrs perform. And yeah - the biggest ticket item is the labor, can definitely understand that one.
Hot damn, thanks for showing the real cost it takes to build these beasts, I really do respect the transparency a lot of TH-camrs almost basically refuse to talk about how much they pay versus people who aren’t as fortunate or connected.
Labor costs can get insane with just regular maintenance, let alone on building a car or restoring it. I feel this is something that gets overlooked the most. Everybody knows youtubers are plugging sponsors, what I’m thinking is “yeah, but what would that have costed in labor?” . So even more respect for touching on that aspect.
Mike, continuing to be the realest guy in the scene. Hasn’t forgotten where he came from, is still the same dude he was back in the days of posting pre-rusty rusty on bmw forums. Still just a normal working class guy, no different from anyone else, just fortunate to have his talent rewarded and humble enough to admit it. Continues to be a good dude, with a good heart, good ethics, good morals, compassion for his fellow humans, and just a genuinely nice guy.
A phenomenal episode! Your honesty, storytelling and transparency are deeply appreciated in an internet of filtered realities. Thanks for leaning in towards reality as much as you do.
Love this Mike. Just sent it to my son who think he can build an E30 with S14 swap for $10-12k. This is after I showed him receipts for his brother’s ‘89 CR-X with B16B that ended up costing me $18k with me doing most of the labor during Covid. Kids, you can’t just stuff them back in…
He’d be hard pressed to get the S14 by itself for that price, these days! A full S14 swapped car done correctly would cost at least another $15k on top of mine. Bare minimum. That’s if you find a cheap engine and rebuild it yourself.
I'm already about 700$ into modifying my 2004 Accord Tourer (EU market Wagon on same chassis as 1G TSX), and am looking at bare minimum of 3000€ to spend just to finish turboing it. And that 700$ estimate is only for a 3" Stainless exhaust system with 200CPSI Hi-Flo Cat, Vibrant Bottle Res & basic ass 3 inch straight through muffler that i welded together myself. If i did include the maintenance during the ownership, well into 1300$ territory total not including the car itself. Cars are one of the most expensive hobbies you can have. At least the 1 benefit i have compared to most others is that I can get my stock ECU tuned for free as i know a Honda stock ECU reverse engineer & tuner which also means i can use the stock ECU even after Turboing. Already running a simple reflash with the new exhaust which with just my buttdyno tells that i have maybe +20hp more than stock now
Quite refreshing to have a TH-camr break the build costs down honestly 👍 Amazing how much you can get for free being a sponsored YTer, especially in USA!!!! Doing such a build would take many years for the average joe just cos of having to save towards the next upgrade parts cost alone.
Very cool you did this, many people have no idea how expensive it is. I have a 2003 VW mk4 Jetta GLI 24 valve and it is my daily driver. I have replaced almost every part on the car and spent a ton on maintenance. Afer 7 years I finally got my very own set of wheels for the car, it already had a decent set of ASA revolutions on it when I got it. My theory was to focus first on the engine maintenance and then focus on looks. Many people go the other route, they got a nice looking car but the engine is horrible and eventually they blow it up. This was an awesome episode. I guessed 25,000! I was close.
Owning a restomod has always been one of my desires, but I don’t intend to do the work myself. I was pleasantly surprised to see that labour only came out to 19k, since I was imagining it to be at least 1:1 parts to labour cost given the complexity and time. Really glad that you could share a realistic figure for the everyday folks! It certainly gave me more confidence when tackling a restomod project. I always thought that retrofitting modern technology into older cars will come out close to buying a brand new entry model Ferrari type of price tag. You’ve definitely got yourself a new fan❤
At the start of this video, I guessed $50K-$100K. It came down to close to the end and the total was $46K, and I was surprised it was that low. THEN you added to in the estimated labor, and I felt pretty good about my guess. I’m restomodding my 1989 Jaguar XJ-S, and have been doing so for over 9 years, so I feel your pain. I appreciate your transparency here as a comparison tool. I probably have about $35K-$40K into the full project, including conversion to Getrag 265 manual transmission. I’m just now finally getting around to a full body strip and repaint, which I am doing myself. I also loved your “complainer” video. Made me feel a lot better and motivated to power on. Thanks!
Just love that you are so transparent. You see that you just love what you do and don’t do this stuff for more likes etc. Offcourse that’s also import for you, but you do it more “human”. You’re just living the dream!
It's important to point out that there are also tens of thousands of TH-cam channels that don't get this kind of treatment, and that you've also spent years building and fostering these relationships with your sponsors. You saved $25,000 from continuing to deliver on your promises to these companies over and over again
I always appreciate transparency on budget for TH-cam builds. So many people nowadays will use crazy numbers as clickbait and what not. Being a TH-camr is a business like another and I like seeing people being honest about it.
This was actually a super helpful episode as most people keep this close to the chest, giving the rest of us no idea how to budget for a build, and end up throwing money we don’t have at the project. I wish a video like this would’ve come out sooner
I appreciate this transparency. Since my channel isn't monetized yet, I've only gotten a few freebies from friends and car communities that I've been a part of for decades. I wouldn't say this is discouraging, but it does certainly temper expectations. Since I don't have the kind of viewship & clout you do, I just have to accept that my projects will take longer and I'll be spending money that I earn from my day job as a software developer to make it all happen. Will doors open in the future? Maybe. But in the meantime, as long as I'm doing this for the right reasons (NOT for the views) then my time & money is not wasted.
I never would’ve guessed that number! It sucks being old. I always tend to price things in my mind at the amount it use to cost years ago. Your transparency is greatly appreciated!
It's amazing that you put this video together and are transparent to all your viewers Mike. Thanks for sharing the details of the costs which puts it into perspective for the average person.
Appreciate the transparency. It illustrates the immense privilege that visibility and an audience provides someone and why a regular person is better off buying than building.
Akin to DIY reno shows on TV the real cost is never given; so many many many thanks for sharing the truth and opening a lot of eyes to the reality of car builds costs ... RESPECT !!
This was a great episode. The honest no bullshit info about what is going on behind the scenes is a refreshing change to most of social media faking it. I was about 15K off retail the before labor price. So when you try to sell this e30 for 25K people will say its a rip off when you can't replicate it for 45K.
First, thank you for the transparency. We live in Germany and my son loves this car. He'd get one tomorrow if the opportunity were there. I shared this video with him so he'll understand what is possible and what it costs.
Got to know the channel for a different build video but saw this unit on the background and imediately fell in love lol Nice that you have a full video like this. Love it, insane build.
I enjoyed this video a lot, as a person that is constantly thinking about going on TH-cam since I have very interesting cars like a MB 190e 2.3 16v Corsa GSI Mitsubishi Pajero, etc, it was interesting to see the real costs of going into something like this. TH-cam is definitely not all roses, it takes a lot of work and initial investment to start something like this. It was great that you addressed such a tabu topic like this but I’m pretty sure it helped a lot of people understanding the reality of the business. The more videos I see of you the more I realize you are just built different, a total gem in this crazy TH-cam world, it really looks like you are just a regular guy like us, trying to make it out there and also helping everyone of us with as much explanations as possible about the things you do. It’s a pleasure being able to enjoy your videos, really, keep up the good work 👍🏽
I'm about to start my restoration of an Audi I've owned for 18 years, until now I just kept the car on the road but over the last year I have amassed everything (hopefully) to achieve a really nice restomod. One thing I would say is that I don't compromise on part quality (eg my parts list includes H&M, AP, OZ, 034 etc etc) but I spend time researching prices, snap up sale offers and almost always ask for a discount if buying several parts. Cool video, hi from Europe 👍
Excellent episode & a reality check for anyone contemplating a build project from scratch. This is exactly why I will never go down this track, as it is a bottomless money pit. Like most people in the real world, I do not have my own workshop with access to all the tools, machinery & knowledge, not to mention the time & patience. One very important point that wasn’t mentioned, is that the resale value of the car would be less than half or even more of total build cost. Which is exactly why I will always buy a completed build project instead, as the total build cost on the project is more than double of the sale price. Anyone who starts a project & doesn’t keep a record of all expenses from day one is a complete fool, especially more so if you run a business. You’re exactly the person that spends six figures on a project with your head buried in the sand & then be forced to sell after 1 or 2 years for next to nothing out of sheer frustration with the project that has got out of control.
im in the process of rebuilding my e36 vert. prices hurt. i havent done any major work i just keep collecting parts. what gets me is the whole "while your in there". I try not to half ass anything. Its really cool to see a channel drop some serious truths. these cars we all know and love will just keep getting more and more expensive. thanks for what you do. keep it up.
Yes it might feel weird talking about it but I think it's much-needed information. I think it cuts both ways too - yes the end number is sobering, but at least it's a number. That's valuable information for someone going into a project, or even just deciding whether to start.
I love your channel. Obviously I’m a jeeper and have built a handful rigs. The truth is I love all builders. You do amazing work. I appreciate you being honest about things cost because I know how things can spiral out control but as far as I’m concerned, it is worth it!!!! Nothing better than driving, racing, or wheeling something you have touched every bolt …. You are awesome keep it up!!!
Thank you for sharing! Very interesting to see. I have an E36 M3 4/5 that I have had for 4 years now. Do not have the means to work on it, and have chosen to take to a local shop to do the work for me (PSI, who are awesome!). I have not done the math on what I have spent on mine…and don’t want to…lol.
This is a great video. I was in the ballpark but, watching you do this made me want to build one. Then I priced everything and decided to be happy with my F80 M3, because it’s all of a sudden really good value. I think videos like this are important, as much as the build videos themselves. Inspire people to build something themselves, but also be real about the investment required so people don’t jump in then find out later and the world ends up with more half finished projects.
One fun thing I'd add is that by starting a specialty side hustle that pertains to one portion of the build process, you can then find groups of friends who are taking a similar approach. It creates a fun network of like minded buddies to barter/trade with.
Thanks for the transparency, it's a rare thing these days. The upside of spending that much is it's "done", as you've mentioned before it's hard to not keep modifying/ improving a project but at least you can have some fun and really enjoy it now. I can't seem to ever finish a project anywhere close to this, mostly due to budget constraints and more than one project at a time. My hat off to you sir.
I absolutely loved this episode. I am $48k deep into my E30 318is, and I still need to do the clutch job, reupholster the seats, buy a Canteloupe radio, and fix a slightly leaky AC. I totally believe the figure being above $60k. Here's to hoping AC Solutions has an M42 kit relatively soon.
HUGE thank you for this video. It brings a lot of things into perspective. I dont even dare add up the cost of restoring my e30 but what I took away from this is that hard work pays off if you have to pay for everything. I think the current wave of influencers can really lower spirits of car enthusiasts, myself included. But this made me feel much better so big props!
I bought a 1st gen 4unner for $6k as a "FUN and CHEAP" weekend vehicle.. the engine started knocking 11 miles down the road after i bought it lol.... now its just over 1 year later and im guessing im about 30K in it now... built Diesel swap, Manual swap, solid axle swap, gears, lockers, 37's, frame reinforcement, chromoly axles and a whole lot of hours... Ill never get my money back out of it but its unique, has plenty of power and i will enjoy it for years and years to come.
I ended up $5000 under for the parts and $5000 over for the labor. Thanks for the reality check for the costs as it is refreshing to see what these types of projects cost. I've never had the desire to go as far as you have gone, but I won't say that I haven't spent a king's ransom over the years on car parts. I find most of my stuff at a you-pull lot and lots of research on parts interchange between models and sometimes even companies. Keep living the dream!
That's honorable to you to talk about money on this type of project. 2x difference is not a huge surprise for who knows price of Eurocars (Germans to be fair) parts, and i'm French lol. Where i'm more curious (i don't want to know but it's an amount of money to take count of) is the amount of youtube money that series brings to you. Huge respect for your purism!
This is an amazing episode. Thanks Mike for showing this. Also really appreciate you doing this on what is essentially a build that can be done with the E30 using "off the shelf" parts unlike the Ferrari (which is all custom) . It really puts into perspective the builds that us normal guys do on our driveways and how much time it takes to save up for that one part that we really want. Glad to see the channel doing well and keep it up.
Thank you. Since close to noone does this type of bottom line, it is really hard to see what you are getting yourself into before you start. Yes, sure, the sum at the end will vary extremely from person to person, but if you have absolutely no idea and just watch channels like yours for the fun of it, this is really helping (suppress the want to do a project car of your own ...) Ngl, I would have thought about less money, but mostly because I did not think it through.
I think a good bit of the people that regularly consume automotive content like this already had the assumption that TH-camrs dont quite pay what we would pay, the amounts of course would always been skewed. Episodes like this is a good way to ground alot of people when they see channels like Adam_Lz or Speed Academy that just seem to have endless amounts of money to throw at their projects, often times leaving people saying "they wasted their money" if they had bought all high dollar parts or "wrong" ones on alot of their builds. Of course those channels have a much larger head room and fluid money to work with but the principal is the same. This was short and sweet and a good way to stay connected with your audience, even tho personally I feel like things like these dont necessarily need to be discussed to a degree.
This is the reason why my 65 F100 has taken me almost 3 years to finish. Ive been building it on a shoe string budget and have to save up to get a lot of my parts. It hasn't been easy either. When I started I made a list of all the parts I would need in the foreseeable future and started to save up money for those parts. The problem has been as I have bee saving, I was watching the prices of the parts go up in price. I've watched as some parts would double or triple in price. But I am now almost done with it, and just about sick of people asking me why it has taken so long to finish.
You are talking 100% reality and I congratulate you for being so honest. My limit is to change my tyres and I think it is great that you can do most of the work yourself. Between you and me it sound better than a new BMW.
Good info. and this is one of the best channels out there IMO. I have an e30 that I am restoring and I feel much better after watching how fast the costs add up. Luckily I have done all of the labor which as you mentioned, is a huge savings and also you will be able to answer any questions because you did the work! I found many of my parts at salvage yards, and although it takes time, I think it has paid dividends. I am a bit fortunate to have raced for some solid companies over the years, so getting a discount or even free parts has been a blessing. I am stoked to have an e30 in my possession and not only are they fun to rip around, but these cars are great to wrench on too. Keep the content coming ......
I'm glad you got help and God you got sponsors. Love your channel. I've been following and joining your channel when you started the Ferrari build and I became a fan ever since
You’re not wrong on the math. I’m 18 months into my Porsche 914 project and all in I’m around $50k. I’ve done all the work myself with the exception of machine work. I’ve fully replaced the interior and fuel system, made major electrical upgrades, installed aftermarket fuel injection, replaced the wheels and tires, had the transmission rebuilt, upgraded the exhaust and now I’m building a new motor. It’s a cool little car but crazy expensive.
in 2019, i had a 180sx purchased from a good friend, 2800$. it needed everything including rust repair, a drive train, and interior. all said and done i was into it for 38,000$ being 19, i worked 3 jobs, Coffee, Farm hand, and Tow truck driver, and i also hauled scrap on the weekends, while waiting for the final parts to be delivered aka the driveshaft it was stolen
great vid. nice to see the clarity on build costs for something "simple" like an E30. first time i've ever seen it broken down in such a clear and concise manner.
I guessed at 20k spent and 40k retail, so not hugely off, however the labour rate got me... not being based in the US, I wouldn't have guessed at 19K! Keep up the great content and work, Mike... it's a great channel and really good to watch, and your honesty and openness is really refreshing and, honestly, very cool... :)
"Comparison is the thief of joy." This episode serves as a reminder that TH-camrs aren't playing by the same rules as you are - so don't crush your own spirits comparing your own project, progress, or dreams to those you watch on the internet. It wouldn't be fair to say "it's all fake" on TH-cam, because it's not. But to call it reality isn't truthful either. I hope this episode shows that. 🙂
It makes me wonder when, TH-cam and sponsored parts etc., will reach saturation. Like if I decide to start filming a project I'm doing with no recognition previously for doing anything will enough people watch and subscribe and then in turn would sponsors care to step up at all.
So much respect for this post!! Really appreciate you sharing the truth 💪💪
I needed this episode, thanks mate.
Truth, thanks for putting this out there. Years ago I took my car to a dealer to have everything mechanical replaced from the sump plug up under the car, brakes, suspension, everything. "The big job" they called it. We had the car about 17 years and it was well worth the investment. These days I doubt I could afford to do the same thing.
Great episode!
Golden rule in car building: Never add up your receipts.
And always cut the total in half before telling it to your wife.
@@info1418😂
W answer
I did. Why have I done this...
Doing this will result in pain. And the surprising realization of how well non car people can afford to live.
I wish I could show this to some of the non car people who keep asking me when my car will be done. They don't realize how often I have to save up money for a part and then have to wait on that part.
But also... maybe don't show them. They already think we're idiots 😅
I get asked the saaaaame thing about my car all the time. "When's it gonna be done?" When I have the money saved up. I don't think a lot of non-car people realize how much parts and labor (if you can't do part of it yourself) actually cost.
@@stanceworks And we may be all certifiable. But hey - what a great way to go.
Man that is exactly right
I had to wait 4 months for rod and main bearings, and almost a year to find the exhaust valves I was looking for on my volvo, not to mention machine shop time. its a loooooooong process doing a ground up build.
Thank you very much for this episode. As a hobby car builder i watch a lot of youtube and always feel bad I cannot move as fast as the pro’s do, but seeing these numbers makes it a lot less painful. I have to earn my money during the day, keep up a household and then spend whats left over on a car. So time and money is tighter than a fulltime pro with sponsorships. I know that, but sometimes I forget that and that’s why content like this is awesome.
I'm glad it resonates with you! Keep the spirits up and keep working. It makes the taste of that first drive in your finish project that much sweeter.
I'm sure this will get lost in the sea of comments, BUT as an owner of a small business that makes aftermarket automotive parts it's refreshing to see a content creator be so upfront and thankful about their partnerships. I often ask myself "Are the heavily discounted or free parts we're sending to so-and-so-creator/influencer even worthwhile to my business?" It's definitely a blow to the ego when some folks (certainly not all) hardly say thank you and our stuff barely gets mentioned in their content.
This has become one of my favorite channels to watch since I found it, especially as I've had to put off my own passion projects the past couple of years to grow a business that sometimes doesn't feel like it'll ever pay off, but quitting isn't something I'm fond of and seeing Mike continue to pursue his goals regardless of the setback is definitely a massive inspiration. Keep up the awesome work dude, can't wait to see what else is in store!
My friends and I are still relatively small in the automotive social media world, but when we get partnerships, we try to treat them like new members of our car family. The fact that they'll support us means our dreams continue and we want people to know that company has people working there that are helping make our content and everyone's builds possible. It can be hard to feel like we deliver enough value, but we try, and IDK how people can just take stuff and not care about that. Radium Engineering and Link ECU have been absolute game changers for us, for example, and I really hope we have a continuing relationship with both.
I have a question, if you don't mind answering. Being a small business owner that does sponsor out some parts, how did that come about? Did the people come and say "Hey, I'll plug you if you give me parts" or did you discover, watch, and decide to offer to them? Thanks in advance and I hope your business takes off.. boy is it a struggle the first couple years lol
@@notfred596 It's a bit of both, we have had people approach us for sponsorship and I ask them to send me some examples of their existing content and data about their audience or their achievements in the automotive space. The people who are willing to take the time to talk with me and go into details are the ones that tend to be great partners.
In other cases I've reached out to creators after finding their content and doing some research beforehand to see if a partnership makes sense. We make platform specific parts so that means I'm looking for creators with cars we make parts for because there is a good chance a portion of their audience has the same car. We've seen success and failure with both approaches so I wouldn't call one better than the other.
Their amount of subs/followers doesn't really mean all that much in my experience, rather the creator's level of connection to their audience plays a big role in how well our products are received/looked at/talked about/bought. The guy with 400 followers who interacts and talks with his audience on a personal level at any opportunity has brought us just as much or more traffic than the guy with 400k followers who interacts with some followers/comments in the first hour of content being posted and then never again, doesn't respond or even look at most DMs etc.
@@802Garage being small isn't a bad thing for partnerships at all. We have worked with a few small guys who have been great to work with! Appreciation posts go a long way for building rapport with partners too.
@@802Garagelove your channel keep it up
This is extremly valuable info for the people watching and wanting to do the same. Rare that youtubers show this.
MASSIVE RESPECT for you doing this! Don’t think I’ve ever seen another silver playbutton auto channel lift the veil like you just did.
I understand why TH-camrs are reticent to discuss financials, especially auto build channels where partnerships and sponsors are so imperative to keep a project from stalling out. But in this age of social media the notion of “keeping up with the Jones”-ism has never been stronger and people are ruining their lives in order to flex post on Instagram or whatever.
Folks gotta realize these successful TH-cam builds take a lot more support and coordination than the Average Joe gets.
But it’s a win win win scenario. These companies have an interactive means to advertise their products that is way better than magazines and forums ever were. Content creators are able to complete new build series in a few weeks or months versus once every year or two (well, some CCs atleast 😉). And the consumers get to see a personality they like/connect with use these products hands on and in a practical manner.
You’re one of the most unique creators in this TH-cam automotive scene and (even at +200k subscribers) criminally underrated. Don’t change. Can’t wait for some of that 5 cylinder goodness build to kick off in earnest.
Tavarish did a nice breakdown of what he spent on his blue McLaren ($450k iirc) and Hoovie is pretty transparent about what he spends on the cars he buys. What Mike did here that I haven't seen anyone else do is provide the retail value of the sponsor parts and a genuine estimate from a shop on the labor value.
Mat Armstrong @MatArmstrongbmx usually always has a white board showing costs. Nothing weird about it. Very important and Great info on how to save money too.
Yep
Any ~5k used classic bmw will probably need 10k just to get it to the point where it’s daily drivable and fully reliable with all the rubber and consumables replaced imo
This is pretty spot on. I just resto-modded an International Scout with an LS swap. My frame off restoration came in at about 65k.
That's a pretty fantastic deal for a frame-off, to be honest! Nicely done.
Rad. Looking at doing something similar with my scout. That price tag is spooky. Did you keep the stock suspension? What trans did you end up running?
@@TylerRogersUSA Its has a 4 inch lift, but is still on leaf springs, and has a rebuilt 4L60e.
I did my S54 swapped E30 in 2018 and it totalled about 50K at that time. I figured you had about 30K into that swap but glad to see sponsors helping out. I always get a kick when people ask the cost to do a swap properly like this and they are expecting 8-10k.
I think that's one of the average car enthusiasts' greatest shortcomings: underestimating the cost of the project in front of them. Doing it *right* always costs more than planned, every time, no matter what.
@@stanceworks Whenever I come up with a cost to do something I just double it so that I'm not surprised when I see the actual cost.
I remember asking one of the guys on the E46 M3 Touring FB groups whether his build cost more than 15k (in all honesty I knew it was way more than that) and his reaction was “you’re joking, right?” 🤣
Numbers check out. I restored an AW11 MR2 a few years ago. Buying parts cars allowed me to convert time into budget money while at the same time obtaining parts I needed. It's a lot of work stripping junkers, posting stuff for sale, and packaging things up and shipping them out, but it turned what would have been a $20k build into a $10k build without having to live stream the process. The key is to buy the nicest one you can afford that only needs repairs you are capable of doing yourself. Had you needed to do a ton of body work and paint, you'd be looking at doubling your all in figure unless a body shop was willing to sponsor you too.
AW11 is supreme. Fix and flip or parting out cars can be crazy lucrative. Good for you.
I think you miss the point, at your cost and knowing you have exactly what you want I would say you are in the car for a really sane amount. The chances of finding a car that is dead on for what you dream of is quite rare to say the least. You also gained so much knowledge in your builds that adding in what it gained you later really makes some of your projects actually deals. Keep up the good work, you are certainly a role model for many young people to see what getting up and getting dirty can really turn in to.
As great as all your builds are, it's your honesty that sets your channel apart from a lot of others.
It might crush some people's dreams to see the reality of building a car, but it should also make people appreciate the builds out there.
And the labour value can not be stressed enough either! A project can easily easily take 200 hours, that's a lot of money.
I figured you'd be one of the guys to be transparent on this kind of stuff. There is a lot of downplaying on just what sponsorship, networking and favors some relative fame can afford a car builder
Or that $5k sponsor fee for slinging some shitty sunglasses or frozen meals, every single episode, that plenty of YT channels get, even on their podcasts.
I guessed 50K retail and 30K for Mike. - being a youtuber helps more than I thought on cost, but of course you put a ton of labor into making and editing content and lots of behind the scenes work. Thanks for sharing the costs.
Yeah, and he also forgot to add in all of the profits that he made from the build videos. Those would most certainly drop the cost of his build to $0.
Thanks for doing a breakdown like this Mike. Definitely helps set some things into perspective. Sure, you can get some better deals than full retail through patience and part hunting, but at the end of the day it still won't be close to the YTuber discount.
Your content still makes me want to build a car though. Just makes me realize I need more cash for what I have planned.
I didn't take into consideration that this episode could dissuade folks. That's kind of a bummer to think about. I just want to educate folks about what really goes into this stuff, and to remind people TH-camrs aren't playing by the same rules.
@@stanceworkspeople won’t be dissuaded if the passion is strong enough. Patience is a virtue and people are responsible for keeping themselves in reality. You did a service on this episode and me and many others I’m sure appreciate it.
@@stanceworks Dissuading is a strong word for saving someone from financial ruin. 😅
@@stanceworksI wouldn't worry about that. Providing good, honest information just gives people a better base to make decisions from. People are still going to chase unrealistic dreams and make them happen in spite of dollars and sense! Thx for your honesty.
@@stanceworks
the cost comparison here brings up a question. You were able to build connections and skills that brought a $45k-$65k project down to $20k. As you point out, ain't exactly pocket change. Ignoring startup costs if you don't have tools & assuming retail costs, how much project can $20k get you if you can DIY? What if you can't?
This is why Stanceworks is the best channel on TH-cam. Mike, don't ever change your formula.
So you are telling me I need to start a TH-cam channel, work my backside off like you for years, build up a substantial following and then I might get some freebies for my car project.....if it was easy everyone would be doing and that is why you deserve it!
I rebuilt my 1989 E30 over a period of a year and it cost me 30K doing all of the work except rebuilding the engine, which I had shipped out. I replaced and upgraded everything that could be. I've worked on my cars since I was 16 when I got my first car. I only started doing it because I couldn't afford to have it done by the shop, LOL.
What was done:
Apex Wheels 8X17 235/17 40 tires
Ground Control Coil Overs custom weighted
Stainless steel brake lines
Willwood Brakes with larger Master Cylinder
Replaced all bushings with poly
E36 Steering rack
Engine rebuilt by Metric Mechanic
1) 3200 Sport Build
2) Pulse Chamber Intake manifold
3) Lightened Flywheel
4) Deep pocketed ported Pistons (No more worry about timing belt breaking issue)
5) H Beam Rods
Aluminium radiator
Repainted all trim in black
Replaced carpet
Corbeau sport seats
SuperSprint Exhaust
UNC Short Shift Kit
Great to hear a TH-camr being honest about cost. We all have those questions, and it is refreshing to have someone with the gall to make a video like this. You produce my favorite TH-cam channel, and I’m always excited when there is a new video to watch. I think a big part of being a fan of StanceWorks is seeing your willingness to take a risk on showing aspects of a build that some merely pass over or are worried to show (I.e. mistakes), but your approach shows the complete picture, at least as much a possible in the world of TH-cam. I look forward to watching what you have planned for 2024.
Interesting video. Thanks for making it.
I tracked my expenses on my last project car. The reasons why I did it two fold, 1) if I ever sell the car the new owner will know exactly what was done, what parts were used, where they were purchased from and the miles and date the work was completed. The second reason is my sanity. This was the fourth car in a row that I rebuilt. I sort of kept track with guy math on the others that I flipped but not to the penny.
I am confident my profits on the previous two paid for my current car… just the car. I can tell you I have $ 9,960.44 total into the car… not including any labor costs outside of the weighted four wheel alignment I had done.
I am okay with this amount as I am confident I can sell my 49,000 mile 2006 Mini Cooper S with modest and reversible modifications made for more than I have invested into it. I have it insured for $15K which is about what it would cost to buy the same car with similar miles and condition without the mods.
Boy, I need to be hanging with you. Good Job!
Bought an '89 last week for $400. Got a used head locally, and got it fired up today. Still have less than $1000 into it. Needless to say I'm pretty stoked.
This video is very refreshing to see. The shop labor is the biggest hurdle for me and many other people. Everyone says “just do it yourself”, but not many people have a garage full of tools to work on a project car; or even a garage to work in with how bad real estate is.
I tried to grow my TH-cam channel with my 2 builds a RB30/26 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR Vspec and 20b FD Rx7(both builds on my channel). But never got it to take off. And I was doing it back in before most of these channels grew. I've owned both for most of my adult life buying the first (RX7) in 2006. (Skyline) 2013. Truth be told, I cannot keep up with other TH-camrs because I'm paying everything out of pocket. I also believe there are additional factors that play a part in channel growth. This was a good video.
It's like with any car company. You have the passionate engineers/designers, and then you have the bean counters.
Keep them away from each other. Don't count your receipts, enjoy the hobby. 😂😂
Well done, Mike. 👍🏽
Major kudos to you for the transparency and honesty. Most folks don't understand the costs and the "benefits" of building as a TH-camr. When you get to a point where the income from making the project actually pays for the project, versus "normal" folks who are paying for retail parts with their daily job.
Man, I’ve violated the golden car rule myself and tallied up costs before so I figured I at least had it in the ballpark of $16/$32k but was real off on the top end. Kudos for you for doing this… it’s a real service to younger car folks to peek behind the curtain and know what things really cost.
I absolutely could NOT love this episode and its transparency any more than I do. This may be one of the best “what did it cost” videos I have ever seen. Content and production quality are simply unmatched in TH-cam by a channel this size and even bigger. Mike, I genuinely enjoy watching every week. Blessings to you.
You’re the man for actually showing people what you spent. A lot of casual viewers just don’t understand the msrp and influencer price.
I recently finished building/restoring my Civic from high-school. It's basically a track car with plates but fresh pretty much everything. I had to have the car appraised for insurance as it's technically a classic car, so I went through something like in the video. It wasn't too crazy and the appraiser was actually over my figure which was nice, but wow! It adds up quick and doesn't include 4 years of weekends and weeknights
It’s great to see a TH-camr being open and honest about this stuff. I think we all know that a lot of stuff is sponsored and that’s fine when you’re doing it as your job.
My Rusty Urquattro project had a very optimistic 1 year timeframe and $15k NZD budget. It took 7 years and multiples of my budget, but I got there and can now daily the car. Channels like this are my inspiration and kept me going when it seemed I was over my head, both in mechanical skill and budget. Keep up the great work mate.
You’re brave for adding them up. I have all the receipts for work I’ve done on my project and just doing quick math in my head is sure to cause a headache. Was also stoked to see a Tuesday episode! Always look forward to your videos.
Fingers crossed we get a Friday Ep out too! Thanks for watching :)
Thank you for sharing. I assumed fifteen grand on parts and another ten on a shop doing the work. With the right knowledge and budget three years and fifteen to stay around your price. Great job.
Great topic , really interesting but I think you should include your time/costs as you do this for your income and obviously have associated personal life costs . Keep up the great content
I’m not a car guy, I watch a lot of car restoration vids for the creative buzz.
The figures don’t surprise me, and was really pleased to see this breakdown as it puts the whole process into perspective.
Kudos to you for your transparency, not only is it a good thing for your viewers, it’s also a much better service to your sponsors than most TH-camrs perform.
And yeah - the biggest ticket item is the labor, can definitely understand that one.
Hot damn, thanks for showing the real cost it takes to build these beasts, I really do respect the transparency a lot of TH-camrs almost basically refuse to talk about how much they pay versus people who aren’t as fortunate or connected.
Labor costs can get insane with just regular maintenance, let alone on building a car or restoring it. I feel this is something that gets overlooked the most. Everybody knows youtubers are plugging sponsors, what I’m thinking is “yeah, but what would that have costed in labor?” . So even more respect for touching on that aspect.
Respect for the transparency, someone with integrity in the car scene to tell it how it really is for content creators
Mike, continuing to be the realest guy in the scene. Hasn’t forgotten where he came from, is still the same dude he was back in the days of posting pre-rusty rusty on bmw forums. Still just a normal working class guy, no different from anyone else, just fortunate to have his talent rewarded and humble enough to admit it. Continues to be a good dude, with a good heart, good ethics, good morals, compassion for his fellow humans, and just a genuinely nice guy.
A phenomenal episode! Your honesty, storytelling and transparency are deeply appreciated in an internet of filtered realities. Thanks for leaning in towards reality as much as you do.
Love this Mike. Just sent it to my son who think he can build an E30 with S14 swap for $10-12k. This is after I showed him receipts for his brother’s ‘89 CR-X with B16B that ended up costing me $18k with me doing most of the labor during Covid. Kids, you can’t just stuff them back in…
He’d be hard pressed to get the S14 by itself for that price, these days! A full S14 swapped car done correctly would cost at least another $15k on top of mine. Bare minimum. That’s if you find a cheap engine and rebuild it yourself.
I'm already about 700$ into modifying my 2004 Accord Tourer (EU market Wagon on same chassis as 1G TSX), and am looking at bare minimum of 3000€ to spend just to finish turboing it. And that 700$ estimate is only for a 3" Stainless exhaust system with 200CPSI Hi-Flo Cat, Vibrant Bottle Res & basic ass 3 inch straight through muffler that i welded together myself. If i did include the maintenance during the ownership, well into 1300$ territory total not including the car itself. Cars are one of the most expensive hobbies you can have. At least the 1 benefit i have compared to most others is that I can get my stock ECU tuned for free as i know a Honda stock ECU reverse engineer & tuner which also means i can use the stock ECU even after Turboing. Already running a simple reflash with the new exhaust which with just my buttdyno tells that i have maybe +20hp more than stock now
Quite refreshing to have a TH-camr break the build costs down honestly 👍 Amazing how much you can get for free being a sponsored YTer, especially in USA!!!! Doing such a build would take many years for the average joe just cos of having to save towards the next upgrade parts cost alone.
Very cool you did this, many people have no idea how expensive it is. I have a 2003 VW mk4 Jetta GLI 24 valve and it is my daily driver. I have replaced almost every part on the car and spent a ton on maintenance. Afer 7 years I finally got my very own set of wheels for the car, it already had a decent set of ASA revolutions on it when I got it. My theory was to focus first on the engine maintenance and then focus on looks. Many people go the other route, they got a nice looking car but the engine is horrible and eventually they blow it up. This was an awesome episode. I guessed 25,000! I was close.
Owning a restomod has always been one of my desires, but I don’t intend to do the work myself. I was pleasantly surprised to see that labour only came out to 19k, since I was imagining it to be at least 1:1 parts to labour cost given the complexity and time. Really glad that you could share a realistic figure for the everyday folks! It certainly gave me more confidence when tackling a restomod project. I always thought that retrofitting modern technology into older cars will come out close to buying a brand new entry model Ferrari type of price tag. You’ve definitely got yourself a new fan❤
At the start of this video, I guessed $50K-$100K. It came down to close to the end and the total was $46K, and I was surprised it was that low. THEN you added to in the estimated labor, and I felt pretty good about my guess.
I’m restomodding my 1989 Jaguar XJ-S, and have been doing so for over 9 years, so I feel your pain. I appreciate your transparency here as a comparison tool. I probably have about $35K-$40K into the full project, including conversion to Getrag 265 manual transmission. I’m just now finally getting around to a full body strip and repaint, which I am doing myself. I also loved your “complainer” video. Made me feel a lot better and motivated to power on. Thanks!
Thanks for keeping it real with the breakdown, helps put things into perspective.
Currently building an e28 myself.
Just love that you are so transparent. You see that you just love what you do and don’t do this stuff for more likes etc. Offcourse that’s also import for you, but you do it more “human”. You’re just living the dream!
It's important to point out that there are also tens of thousands of TH-cam channels that don't get this kind of treatment, and that you've also spent years building and fostering these relationships with your sponsors. You saved $25,000 from continuing to deliver on your promises to these companies over and over again
I was only $3k off in my estimate ($42k). And only $1k off for Labour ($18k).
At least I wasn't dreaming ! And must be shopping for my own project ;-)
I always appreciate transparency on budget for TH-cam builds. So many people nowadays will use crazy numbers as clickbait and what not. Being a TH-camr is a business like another and I like seeing people being honest about it.
This was actually a super helpful episode as most people keep this close to the chest, giving the rest of us no idea how to budget for a build, and end up throwing money we don’t have at the project. I wish a video like this would’ve come out sooner
Love the transparency, thank you Mike!
I appreciate this transparency. Since my channel isn't monetized yet, I've only gotten a few freebies from friends and car communities that I've been a part of for decades. I wouldn't say this is discouraging, but it does certainly temper expectations. Since I don't have the kind of viewship & clout you do, I just have to accept that my projects will take longer and I'll be spending money that I earn from my day job as a software developer to make it all happen. Will doors open in the future? Maybe. But in the meantime, as long as I'm doing this for the right reasons (NOT for the views) then my time & money is not wasted.
Thank you! This is something most folks don’t understand- especially labor costs.
I never would’ve guessed that number! It sucks being old. I always tend to price things in my mind at the amount it use to cost years ago. Your transparency is greatly appreciated!
It's amazing that you put this video together and are transparent to all your viewers Mike. Thanks for sharing the details of the costs which puts it into perspective for the average person.
Appreciate the transparency. It illustrates the immense privilege that visibility and an audience provides someone and why a regular person is better off buying than building.
Akin to DIY reno shows on TV the real cost is never given; so many many many thanks for sharing the truth and opening a lot of eyes to the reality of car builds costs ... RESPECT !!
This was a great episode. The honest no bullshit info about what is going on behind the scenes is a refreshing change to most of social media faking it. I was about 15K off retail the before labor price. So when you try to sell this e30 for 25K people will say its a rip off when you can't replicate it for 45K.
First, thank you for the transparency. We live in Germany and my son loves this car. He'd get one tomorrow if the opportunity were there. I shared this video with him so he'll understand what is possible and what it costs.
Got to know the channel for a different build video but saw this unit on the background and imediately fell in love lol Nice that you have a full video like this. Love it, insane build.
I enjoyed this video a lot, as a person that is constantly thinking about going on TH-cam since I have very interesting cars like a MB 190e 2.3 16v Corsa GSI Mitsubishi Pajero, etc, it was interesting to see the real costs of going into something like this. TH-cam is definitely not all roses, it takes a lot of work and initial investment to start something like this. It was great that you addressed such a tabu topic like this but I’m pretty sure it helped a lot of people understanding the reality of the business. The more videos I see of you the more I realize you are just built different, a total gem in this crazy TH-cam world, it really looks like you are just a regular guy like us, trying to make it out there and also helping everyone of us with as much explanations as possible about the things you do. It’s a pleasure being able to enjoy your videos, really, keep up the good work 👍🏽
Nice to see someone finally being honest about true costs.
I'm about to start my restoration of an Audi I've owned for 18 years, until now I just kept the car on the road but over the last year I have amassed everything (hopefully) to achieve a really nice restomod. One thing I would say is that I don't compromise on part quality (eg my parts list includes H&M, AP, OZ, 034 etc etc) but I spend time researching prices, snap up sale offers and almost always ask for a discount if buying several parts. Cool video, hi from Europe 👍
Love transparency videos like this. Even people revealing their mod lists. Really informative to what can be done to these cars.
Excellent episode & a reality check for anyone contemplating a build project from scratch.
This is exactly why I will never go down this track, as it is a bottomless money pit.
Like most people in the real world, I do not have my own workshop with access to all the tools, machinery & knowledge, not to mention the time & patience.
One very important point that wasn’t mentioned, is that the resale value of the car would be less than half or even more of total build cost.
Which is exactly why I will always buy a completed build project instead, as the total build cost on the project is more than double of the sale price.
Anyone who starts a project & doesn’t keep a record of all expenses from day one is a complete fool, especially more so if you run a business.
You’re exactly the person that spends six figures on a project with your head buried in the sand & then be forced to sell after 1 or 2 years for next to nothing out of sheer frustration with the project that has got out of control.
Thank you for being transparent 🙏
im in the process of rebuilding my e36 vert. prices hurt. i havent done any major work i just keep collecting parts. what gets me is the whole "while your in there". I try not to half ass anything. Its really cool to see a channel drop some serious truths. these cars we all know and love will just keep getting more and more expensive. thanks for what you do. keep it up.
Yes it might feel weird talking about it but I think it's much-needed information. I think it cuts both ways too - yes the end number is sobering, but at least it's a number. That's valuable information for someone going into a project, or even just deciding whether to start.
I love your channel. Obviously I’m a jeeper and have built a handful rigs. The truth is I love all builders. You do amazing work. I appreciate you being honest about things cost because I know how things can spiral out control but as far as I’m concerned, it is worth it!!!! Nothing better than driving, racing, or wheeling something you have touched every bolt …. You are awesome keep it up!!!
Thank you for sharing! Very interesting to see. I have an E36 M3 4/5 that I have had for 4 years now. Do not have the means to work on it, and have chosen to take to a local shop to do the work for me (PSI, who are awesome!). I have not done the math on what I have spent on mine…and don’t want to…lol.
Don’t worry about it. If you can make your day to day and have this love affair on the side without pain, then that’s now Life.
60k is in the ballpark of what I would expect, if not a bit more. Engine swaps and rebuilds are no joke.
This is a great video. I was in the ballpark but, watching you do this made me want to build one. Then I priced everything and decided to be happy with my F80 M3, because it’s all of a sudden really good value.
I think videos like this are important, as much as the build videos themselves. Inspire people to build something themselves, but also be real about the investment required so people don’t jump in then find out later and the world ends up with more half finished projects.
One fun thing I'd add is that by starting a specialty side hustle that pertains to one portion of the build process, you can then find groups of friends who are taking a similar approach. It creates a fun network of like minded buddies to barter/trade with.
Thanks for the transparency, it's a rare thing these days. The upside of spending that much is it's "done", as you've mentioned before it's hard to not keep modifying/ improving a project but at least you can have some fun and really enjoy it now. I can't seem to ever finish a project anywhere close to this, mostly due to budget constraints and more than one project at a time. My hat off to you sir.
I absolutely loved this episode. I am $48k deep into my E30 318is, and I still need to do the clutch job, reupholster the seats, buy a Canteloupe radio, and fix a slightly leaky AC. I totally believe the figure being above $60k. Here's to hoping AC Solutions has an M42 kit relatively soon.
HUGE thank you for this video. It brings a lot of things into perspective. I dont even dare add up the cost of restoring my e30 but what I took away from this is that hard work pays off if you have to pay for everything. I think the current wave of influencers can really lower spirits of car enthusiasts, myself included. But this made me feel much better so big props!
I love that you made this episode and are as transparent as you are.
I bought a 1st gen 4unner for $6k as a "FUN and CHEAP" weekend vehicle.. the engine started knocking 11 miles down the road after i bought it lol.... now its just over 1 year later
and im guessing im about 30K in it now... built Diesel swap, Manual swap, solid axle swap, gears, lockers, 37's, frame reinforcement, chromoly axles and a whole lot of hours... Ill never get my money back out of it but its unique, has plenty of power and i will enjoy it for years and years to come.
I like this topic and wish more TH-camrs would do the same. Appreciate the honesty.
I ended up $5000 under for the parts and $5000 over for the labor. Thanks for the reality check for the costs as it is refreshing to see what these types of projects cost. I've never had the desire to go as far as you have gone, but I won't say that I haven't spent a king's ransom over the years on car parts. I find most of my stuff at a you-pull lot and lots of research on parts interchange between models and sometimes even companies. Keep living the dream!
That's honorable to you to talk about money on this type of project. 2x difference is not a huge surprise for who knows price of Eurocars (Germans to be fair) parts, and i'm French lol. Where i'm more curious (i don't want to know but it's an amount of money to take count of) is the amount of youtube money that series brings to you. Huge respect for your purism!
This is an amazing episode. Thanks Mike for showing this. Also really appreciate you doing this on what is essentially a build that can be done with the E30 using "off the shelf" parts unlike the Ferrari (which is all custom) .
It really puts into perspective the builds that us normal guys do on our driveways and how much time it takes to save up for that one part that we really want.
Glad to see the channel doing well and keep it up.
Thank you. Since close to noone does this type of bottom line, it is really hard to see what you are getting yourself into before you start. Yes, sure, the sum at the end will vary extremely from person to person, but if you have absolutely no idea and just watch channels like yours for the fun of it, this is really helping (suppress the want to do a project car of your own ...)
Ngl, I would have thought about less money, but mostly because I did not think it through.
I think a good bit of the people that regularly consume automotive content like this already had the assumption that TH-camrs dont quite pay what we would pay, the amounts of course would always been skewed. Episodes like this is a good way to ground alot of people when they see channels like Adam_Lz or Speed Academy that just seem to have endless amounts of money to throw at their projects, often times leaving people saying "they wasted their money" if they had bought all high dollar parts or "wrong" ones on alot of their builds. Of course those channels have a much larger head room and fluid money to work with but the principal is the same. This was short and sweet and a good way to stay connected with your audience, even tho personally I feel like things like these dont necessarily need to be discussed to a degree.
It is what it is, labor of love. The emotion I feel with my project is priceless
This is the reason why my 65 F100 has taken me almost 3 years to finish. Ive been building it on a shoe string budget and have to save up to get a lot of my parts. It hasn't been easy either. When I started I made a list of all the parts I would need in the foreseeable future and started to save up money for those parts. The problem has been as I have bee saving, I was watching the prices of the parts go up in price. I've watched as some parts would double or triple in price. But I am now almost done with it, and just about sick of people asking me why it has taken so long to finish.
You are talking 100% reality and I congratulate you for being so honest. My limit is to change my tyres and I think it is great that you can do most of the work yourself. Between you and me it sound better than a new BMW.
Yeah it’s always fun adding up how much you’ve spent on your build to see it’s well over what you thought. My E46 is adding up quick
Good info. and this is one of the best channels out there IMO. I have an e30 that I am restoring and I feel much better after watching how fast the costs add up. Luckily I have done all of the labor which as you mentioned, is a huge savings and also you will be able to answer any questions because you did the work! I found many of my parts at salvage yards, and although it takes time, I think it has paid dividends. I am a bit fortunate to have raced for some solid companies over the years, so getting a discount or even free parts has been a blessing. I am stoked to have an e30 in my possession and not only are they fun to rip around, but these cars are great to wrench on too. Keep the content coming ......
I'm glad you got help and God you got sponsors. Love your channel. I've been following and joining your channel when you started the Ferrari build and I became a fan ever since
That’s about what I thought it would be. Being that cool ain’t cheap. Love your BMW videos.
You’re not wrong on the math. I’m 18 months into my Porsche 914 project and all in I’m around $50k. I’ve done all the work myself with the exception of machine work. I’ve fully replaced the interior and fuel system, made major electrical upgrades, installed aftermarket fuel injection, replaced the wheels and tires, had the transmission rebuilt, upgraded the exhaust and now I’m building a new motor. It’s a cool little car but crazy expensive.
in 2019, i had a 180sx purchased from a good friend, 2800$. it needed everything including rust repair, a drive train, and interior. all said and done i was into it for 38,000$ being 19, i worked 3 jobs, Coffee, Farm hand, and Tow truck driver, and i also hauled scrap on the weekends, while waiting for the final parts to be delivered aka the driveshaft it was stolen
Refreshingly honest breakdown of cost was awesomely brutal, even for you, I could hear it in your voice. Subscribed. 👍
Thank you for being honest. I appreciate.
great vid. nice to see the clarity on build costs for something "simple" like an E30. first time i've ever seen it broken down in such a clear and concise manner.
Thanks Mike, I enjoy hearing about the numbers.
I guessed at 20k spent and 40k retail, so not hugely off, however the labour rate got me... not being based in the US, I wouldn't have guessed at 19K!
Keep up the great content and work, Mike... it's a great channel and really good to watch, and your honesty and openness is really refreshing and, honestly, very cool... :)
Thank you. This is something what never come out, the true cost of project.